“Trump brings attitude to political contest”

Donald Trump’s candidacy is spicing up the race for United States president, writes Harmanan Singh, 18, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Mumbai in India, as he examines the tycoon’s potential for success.

In the American political contest, will Trump triumph?

A recent General Opinion Polls by ABC/Washington Post showed Donald Trump’s approval rating at 24 per cent. Just six months after announcing his race to the White House, Trump has left political commentators and politicians aghast at his meteoric rise in popularity.

Donald Trump has generally been associated with his flamboyant lifestyle. In popular culture he is known as a rich, brash tycoon, the arrogant host of his show, “The Apprentice” and possessing undiminishing popularity in other endeavours.

His most current assignment, the Presidency campaign, has garnered and attracted the attention of people and media from around the world. Often cited as a demagogue, his antics and campaigns reflect his real life persona. No wonder his campaign hasn’t been short of controversies.

As the race for the White house spices up for the 2016 showdown, Trump has had his own share of bouquets and brickbats, while many white nationalist Americans have extended their support to their “Messiah”, many have criticized him for his rather selfish, derogatory views. In some of his recent outings, he has claimed that the USA has become like a dumping ground for the world’s troubles. He directly associated immigrant Mexicans as criminals, rapists and drug traffickers. This definitely ruffled a lot of feathers as it was termed a politically wrong, dogmatic statement and alienated him from the largest minority in the United States.

Trump has also drawn a lot of criticism for his demeaning acts against fellow candidates, most notably Lindsey Graham and Arizona Senator John McCain. Trump openly gave out Graham’s mobile number in a public event and also questioned McCain’s war record and veteran status.

“Everything he has been doing has been at the level of him benefiting from controversy. There’s a propagandistic element to it. He knows how to outrage people for his own benefit, and he’s done that his whole career,” says Michael Signer, an author and lawyer who has made a 15-year study of political demagogues. Donald Trump has a trademark style and attitude but lacks a political agenda.

That brings me back to my previous question, “Will Trump Triumph?” That question is difficult to answer at the moment. In the past, many candidates have shown surging popularity before nose diving and finally bowing out of presidential races, most notably Sarah Palin and Herman Cain. While Trump is giving some jitters and nightmares to fellow candidates and seasoned politicians like Bernie Sanders or Jeb Bush, it would be fair to say that it will take an immense effort to overtake Hillary Clinton, the Democrat leader.

This season, the campaign’s going to be very interesting, with a man who lacks political knowledge but speaks his mind without considering the consequences. Whatever be the outcome of his presidential campaign, rest assured that Trump will “play it his way”. Without any compromise or fear, what he projects and presents will be in full throttle.

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About me
I am a science student in Mumbai, India. I am an explorer with an endeavour to visit every nation on this planet. I aspire to be a travel journalist and experience varied cultural vibes across geographies. Wildlife, debating, poetry and entrepreneurship are some of my other interests.
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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?
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